People of Saranam

Bruce Harris, Teacher

American born, now living in France, Bruce Harris has been practicing Zen for 50 years. Bruce's first inspiration was Rinzai Zen, after which he turned to the Sanbo Zen lineage, studying at San'un Zendo in Kamamura under the direction of Kôun Yamada. Since Yamada Roshi's death in 1989, he has studied with his successors Jiun Kubota and Ryôun Yamada. Bruce has been authorized to teach in this tradition, which combines the Rinzai and Sôtô schools. He is also inspired by his encounter with the heart centered transmissions of Mahamudra, Dzogchen, and the early desert fathers. Very open-minded and interested in all traditions, Bruce allows his students to feel that we’re all on a path together. Bruce is a painter and wood-block artist.

 

Saranam Board of Directors

 

Barbara Weaner, President received a Masters in Science In Nursing at Yale University, and worked for 34 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She was also a Certified Nurse Midwife. She retired this year. She is the current President of the Saranam Board of Directors. She was a previous Board member of Mountain Hospice, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy and the St. George Medical Clinic. She has done volunteer auricular acupuncture for the treatment of addiction at Jacob's Ladder Recovery program, the Tucker County Community Corrections program and at Davis Medical Center, treating pregnant and postpartum women.

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Hugh Rogers, Treasurer retired trial and appellate attorney who practiced in North Carolina and West Virginia. He is a former president and longtime board member of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, former chair of the board of commissioners of the Randolph County Housing Authority, and president of Corridor H Alternatives.

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Dana Shimrock, Secretary earned a BS Degree in Education and a Masters in Library Science Degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She was employed for 17 years as a school teacher and 23 years as the DIrector of the Library at Garrett College in Western Maryland. She is now retired 13 years and currently serving as secretary for the Saranam Board of Directors.

 

Will W. Adams serves as a psychology professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, and as an ecopsychologist and meditation teacher. He completed a BS at the University of North Carolina, an MA in Psychology at West Georgia College, a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Duquesne University, and a clinical fellowship at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Will’s training includes 38 years of practice with esteemed meditation teachers, both Zen Buddhist and Christian. He is the author of the ecopsychology/ecospirituality book A Wild and Sacred Call: Nature-Psyche-Spirit (SUNY Press, 2023). 

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Connie Banta is a retired therapist who has also worked as an English and French teacher and a public relations writer for WVU. In addition to her service to Saranam managing the website, she also serves as Community Coordinator for the Appalachian Prison Book Project, creates artist books, organizes creativity workshops, and engages in social justice activities in her community. She holds a BA in English and French, an MA in English, an MFA in Poetry, and an MA and LPC in Counseling.

 

Claudia Giannini holds a M.Ed. in museum education and a M.F.A. in visual art and has worked in the museum field, including the Smithsonian, The Carnegie Museum of Art and the Mattress Factory museum of contemporary art, for 38 years. She is also a visual artist who has exhibited her work throughout the country.

 

Tom Hoffman is a therapist with a masters degree in Social Work. He has worked for over 40 years for the Appalachian Community Health Center, first with children placed in foster care and later as a general clinician. He is also a musician and has played traditional Appalachian music for 50 years.

 

Ruth Rogers is an artist with a master's degree in painting. As a Peace Corps volunteer, she taught English at Ewha Woman's College in Seoul, Korea. She has been involved in environmental issues in West Virginia, and she has led hikes in the Monongahela National Forest.

 

Kyle Weaner is a Tibetan medical practitioner, massage therapist, and Yoga teacher. He is the owner of the Jivaka Wellness Center in Elkins, WV and has led the Tergar meditation group there since 2013. Kyle organizes retreats at Saranam, and can be hired to cook upon request.

 

Larisa Wells earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia. She was a flight simulation software engineer for 20 years, and a robotics systems engineer and program manager for an additional 25 years. She is an acrylic painter and potter, and has sat on the board of the Randolph County Community Arts Center and currently on the board of Saranam Retreat Center.